Modified Thermoplastic Starch from Ophiostoma ulmi Polysaccharide Conversion

ABSTRACT

A novel modified thermoplastic starch is manufactured from a native starch using a polysaccharide produced by the fungus species  Ophiostoma ulmi , by growing a culture in a yeast extract medium; adding the native starch; mixing, and harvesting the modified thermoplastic starch. The modified thermoplastic starch may be used in the manufacture of a biodegradable plastic which exhibits low water absorbency and high tensile strength. The plastic may be used to manufacture films or moulding products by casting, extrusion, injection, or compression techniques.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to biodegradable plastics. In particular, the present invention relates to modified starch-based biodegradable plastics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An increased emphasis on sustainability, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry has driven a search for renewable and environmentally friendly resources. Starch is a biodegradable polysaccharide, produced in abundance at low cost, which exhibits thermoplastic behaviour. Therefore, it has become one of the most promising candidates for an alternative material to replace traditional plastics in certain market segments such as the food packaging industry.

Numerous studies have been conducted to optimize the performance of starch-based plastics (Mali, S. et al. (2004), Food Hydrocolloids, 19 (2005), 157-164); Soest, J. et al. (1997), Trends in Biotechnology, 15(6), 208-213; Fama, L. et al., LWT, 38, 631-639; Lawton, J. W. (1996), Carbohydrate Polymers, 29 (1996), 203-208). These studies have shown that important properties for evaluation of a packaging material include mechanical properties, gas and water vapour permeability, thermoforming properties, resistance, transparency, and availability (Weber, C. et al. (2001), Food Additives and Contaminants, 19, Supplement, 172-177).

However, the design and engineering of a starch-based packaging product that possesses all of these required properties is a significant challenge. Difficulties are encountered with cost, technical hurdles such as brittleness associated with high loads, and poor water and gas barrier properties which must be overcome to commercialize the biomaterial (Lorcks, J. (1997), Polymer Degradation and Stability, 59 (1998), 245-249).

Other studies have modified the functional properties of starch to enhance its inherent bonding strength by focusing on incorporating additives such as plasticizers to improve the performance of the material (Poutanen, K. et al. (1996), TRIP 4-4 (1996), 128-132; Laohakunjit, N. et al. (2003), Starch, 56 (2004), 348-356).

It has also been reported that certain fungi have the ability to produce exo-polysaccharides that have great potential for use in cosmetic and food industries because of their bioactive characteristics, rheological behavior, and high stability at high temperature (Selbmann, L. et al. (2003), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 84 (2003), 135-145).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of a method of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch from a native starch using a polysaccharide produced by a fungus species, comprising the steps of: growing a culture of the fungus species in a fungal growth medium as a shake culture at an agitation rate sufficient to optimize fungal growth for a time period of between 0.5 and 10 days, preferably between 0.5 and 5 days, until the concentration of spores of the fungus species is between 0.1 and 10 g/L; adding the native starch to the fungus species culture to form a mixture; mixing the mixture at a rate of between 10 and 1000 rpm, preferably at a rate of between 10 and 500 rpm, and a mixing temperature of between 5° C. and 50° C., preferably between 5° C. and 40° C.; and harvesting the modified thermoplastic starch.

The native starch may be selected from the group comprising native potato starch, native corn starch, and native tapioca starch. The fungus may be Ophiostoma sp. or related Ascomycetes sp. The Ophiostoma sp. may be Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lata (O. ulmi and O. novo-ulmi).

The fungal growth medium may be a yeast extract medium. The yeast extract medium may comprise DIFCO® yeast extract, KH₂PO₄, MgSO₄, FeCl₃*6H₂O, MnCl*4H₂O, ZnSO₄*7H₂O and sucrose, in distilled water.

According to one embodiment, the harvesting step may comprise extraction of the modified thermoplastic starch and lyophilization. According to an alternative embodiment, the harvesting step may comprise the following steps: centrifuging the spore culture at between 10 and 10000 rpm, preferably at between 200 and 6000 rpm for a centrifugation period of between 0.5 and 60 minutes, preferably between 5 and 40 minutes, at room temperature to obtain a supernatant; decanting the supernatant; lyophilizing the remaining mixture until dry; and removing the dried spores.

According to another embodiment of a method of the present invention, the step of adding the native starch may be replaced with the following steps: centrifuging the fungus species culture at high speed to obtain a supernatant; and incubating the supernatant with the native starch for between 0.1 and 10 days, preferably between 0.1 and 4 days.

According to yet another embodiment of a method of the present invention, the fungal growth culture medium may contain native starch, and the following additional steps after growth of the spore cultures may be employed: centrifuging the mixture at high speed to obtain a supernatant; adding ethanol to the supernatant; centrifuging the mixture at high speed to obtain thermoplastic starch as a precipitate; and isolating the thermoplastic starch.

According to one embodiment, a product of the invention may comprise a modified thermoplastic starch having a tensile strength between 10 and 32 MPa, an elongation at break between 0.5 and 10% and a tensile modulus between 0.3 and 1.5 GPa. Another product of the present invention may comprise a biodegradable plastic.

According to one embodiment, a use of a product of the invention may comprise use of the biodegradable plastic in the manufacture of films or molding products by casting, extrusion, injection, or compression techniques.

According to one embodiment, a use of a product of the invention may comprise use of the modified thermoplastic starch in the manufacture of a biodegradable product selected from the group of products comprising a film exhibiting low water absorbance and high tensile strength, a packaging film, a laminate, a sandwiched material, a foamed molded article, an extruded profile, an insulation material, and a filled molded article.

According to one embodiment, a method of manufacture of a product of the invention may comprise a method of manufacture of a biodegradable plastic containing a modified thermoplastic starch, comprising the steps of: combining the modified thermoplastic starch with glycerol and water in a container; heating the contained mixture in a water bath at about 30° C., preferably at least 70° C., for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour, while maintaining the volume constant, to form a solution; heating the solution at a temperature of at least 30° C., preferably at least 50° C., until a dry plastic is obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates modified thermoplastic starch production after 4 days, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates water absorbance tests for native starch and modified thermoplastic starch polymer films, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates tensile modulus of native starch and modified thermoplastic starch polymer films, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a Fourier transform infrared (“FT-IR”) spectrum of exo-polysaccharide produced by O. ulmi isolate W9, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates FT-IR spectra of unmodified starch, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates detail of FT-IR spectra of unmodified starch and modified thermoplastic starch showing new peaks appearing at 1261.84 and 799.44 cm⁻¹ in the modified starch spectrum, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates detail of FT-IR resonances of unmodified starch and modified thermoplastic starch between 2800 and 3000 cm⁻¹, related to C—H stretching, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates Raman spectrum of modified thermoplastic starch and unmodified starch in the spectral range 2000-3500 cm⁻¹, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate Raman mapping of native potato starch, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A and 110B illustrate Raman mapping of modified thermoplastic potato starch, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lata (“O. ulmi”) is the causal agent of Dutch Elm disease. This fungus is unique, as its natural habitat resides in xylem fluid. The inventors have been able to demonstrate that isolates of O. ulmi are able to produce exo-polysaccharides in a culture medium (.Jeng, R., et al. (2007), Forest Pathology, 37: 80-95). When starch is used as the substrate in O. ulmi culture, a biopolymer is produced that shows characteristics well suited to a bio-packaging material.

There is disclosed a commercially viable process for large scale production of a biopolymer which can be used as packaging material for a variety of applications.

The modified thermoplastic starch of the invention is obtained by incubating the spores and/or mycelia of O. ulmi in a culture medium containing starch, yeast extract, micro-nutrients and sucrose. The starch may be potato starch, corn starch or tapioca starch.

Two starch conversion methods are disclosed. According to the first, the ethanol precipitation conversion method, O. ulmi is added to a yeast extract medium containing native starch to a desired spore concentration and incubated for a desired period of time. Ethanol precipitation of the incubated mixture and drying of the precipitate produces a novel thermoplastic starch. The rate of native starch conversion can be optimized through selection of spore concentration and incubation time.

According to one embodiment of an ethanol precipitation starch conversion method of the invention, the conversion medium contains, per litre of distilled water, 2.0 g/L DIFCO® yeast extract, 1.0 g/L KH₂PO₄, 0.1 g/L MgSO₄, 0.48 mg/L FeCl₃*6H₂O, 0.36 mg/L MnCl*4H₂O, 0.44 mg/L ZnSO₄*7H₂O and 10 g/L sucrose, (“YE medium”). 25 g/L native starch is added to the YE medium. 200 mL of O. ulmi isolate is added to the medium to a concentration of fungal spores of between 3.5 and 4.0 g/L (dry weight). The mixture is incubated on an orbiting shaker at a speed of 150 rpm for between 2 and 5 days at room temperature. Modified thermoplastic starch is obtained by ethanol precipitation using an equal amount of 95% ethanol. The modified thermoplastic starch precipitate is freeze-dried or air-dried. The rate of starch conversion may be optimized by selection of spore concentration and incubation time.

According to one embodiment of a non-ethanol precipitation starch conversion method from spore-containing culture, according to the invention, O. ulmi is grown in a 4 L flask containing 2 L of YE medium. Two isolates (W9 and Q412) of O. ulmi are used as a model system, but other isolates would also be acceptable. The spore culture is maintained at room temperature as a shake culture at 150 rpm for 5 days, until the concentration of fungal spores is 3.5 to 4 g/L (dry weight). To initiate starch conversion, 450 g of starch was added to the YE media containing spores. The starch may be steam autoclaved. The mixture is placed on orbiting shaker at speed of 150 rpm at room temperature. Modified thermoplastic starch may be harvested by either of two different methods.

According to a first harvest method, fungal spores are not removed. Modified thermoplastic starch is harvested through filtration and lyophilized without additional treatment. According to a second harvest method, the mixture is centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 25 minutes at room temperature. The supernatant is discarded and the mixture lyophilized until dry. Dried spores are removed and discarded. This second harvest method produces a modified thermoplastic starch which provides increased clarity and improved mechanical properties in a film.

According to one embodiment of a non-ethanol precipitation starch conversion method from spore-free culture, according to the invention, O. ulmi is grown in a 4 L flask containing 2 L of YE medium. Two isolates (W9 and Q412) of O. ulmi are used as a model system, but other isolates would also be acceptable. The spore culture is maintained at room temperature as a shake culture at 150 rpm for 5 days, until the concentration of fungal spores is 3.5 to 4 μL (dry weight). To initiate starch conversion, fungal spores are first removed from the YE medium by high speed centrifugation. The resulting spore-free culture filtrate is mixed with starch and incubated for between 1 and 2 days. Modified thermoplastic starch is obtained by either of the harvest methods previously described.

According to one embodiment of a non-ethanol precipitation starch conversion method from purified exo-polysaccharide, according to the invention, O. ulmi is grown in a 4 L flask containing 2 L of YE medium. Two isolates (W9 and Q412) of O. ulmi are used as a model system, but other isolates would also be acceptable. The spore culture is maintained at room temperature as a shake culture at 150 rpm for 5 days, until the concentration of fungal spores is 3.5 to 4 g/L (dry weight). Fungal spores are removed from YE medium by high speed centrifugation. Spore-free culture filtrate is mixed with an equal amount of 95% ethanol. Purified exo-polysaccharide is recovered by centrifugation. Precipitated polysaccharide is re-dissolved with water. To initiate starch conversion, 450 g of starch was added to the YE media containing spores. The starch may be steam autoclaved. The mixture is placed on orbiting shaker at speed of 150 rpm at room temperature. Modified thermoplastic starch may be harvested by either of two different methods.

The modified thermoplastic starch of the present invention is a novel polymer which appears to result from the interaction between native starch and exo-polysaccharide produced by O. ulmi. A biodegradable film made by blending the modified thermoplastic starch in a mixture of glycerine and water exhibits low water absorbance and high strength in tensile and modulus tests.

The film is formulated by combining 8.0 g modified thermoplastic starch with 3.95 g glycerol in a 300 mL beaker, and adding approximately 150 ml water. The suspension is heated in a 90° C. water bath for 1 hour, while maintaining a constant volume by adding water. The solution is poured into a 15 cm diameter Petri-dish. According to the ethanol precipitation method, the dish is left to evaporate at room temperature. According to the non-ethanol methods, the dish is dried in a 50° C. oven. The film is removed from the dish for physical property testing.

For tensile testing, according to test standard ASTM D638, type I, three “dog bone” shaped specimens are cut from each film. Each specimen has a width of 3.00 mm. Each specimen is measured with a caliper for thickness at a minimum of 5 locations. The smallest measurement is recorded as the thickness of the specimen. Most of the specimens have a thickness of between 0.19 mm and 0.26 mm.

Tensile tests are done using a Sintech Universal Tensile Test Machine Model #1. The gage length is 25.4 mm. The specimen is fixed into the slit and pulled apart by the machine at a rate of 2.5 mm/min, until specimen failure occurred. The tensile tests are carried out at 23° C. and 50% relative humidity. The atmosphere of the test site may be climate controlled.

Experimental Results Experiment 1: Ethanol Precipitated Modified Thermoplastic Starch Starch Conversion

For ethanol precipitated modified thermoplastic starch, the rate of modified starch conversion using corn starch, potato starch and tapioca starch was measured. Results are shown in FIG. 1, which shows that use of tapioca starch produced the highest conversion rate after 4 days conversion, and corn starch the least. Values depicted in FIG. 1 are mean values with standard deviation as shown, where N=3. By increasing the amount of starch in the medium, a modified starch yield of greater than 85% may be attained.

Water Absorption

Films made of native and modified starches from potato, corn, tapioca, amylopectin, and modified rice starch, were soaked in water. As depicted in FIG. 2, after soaking film samples in water, all the unmodified starch films disintegrated within 30 minutes, and continued to absorb water. However, all films made from the modified starch remained intact, even after 24 hours. Furthermore, their water uptake capacities reached a maximum in an hour, and exhibited a plateau thereafter. Values depicted in FIG. 2 are mean values with standard deviation as shown, for N=1 to 3.

After modification, biopolymers derived from potato and tapioca starches exhibited a much lower water absorption, which indicated a higher moisture resistance, a favourable property for packaging material applications.

Tensile Strength

Both native starch and modified thermoplastic starch were cast into films, which were dried at room temperature for at least 3 days, then subjected to tensile testing as described above. As depicted in FIG. 3 and Table I, the experimental results show that the modified starch has improved strength properties and is well suited for use as a packaging material. Tensile modulus values in FIG. 3 are mean values with standard deviation as shown, for N=5, 4, 6, 6, 10, 4 and 3, respectively.

TABLE 1 Tensile Tests of Native and Modified Thermoplastic Starch Films 95% confidence limits N (number of Material Mean of the mean measurements) Peak Stress Potato Starch 1.60 1.18 2.01 5 (MPa) Potato Polymer 3.58 3.22 3.92 7 Tapioca Starch 0.37 −0.01 0.75 6 Tapioca 3.60 3.30 3.89 10 Polymer Rice Polymer 0.43 −0.04 0.89 4 Corn Polymer 2.52 2.14 2.90 6 Amylopectin 0.97 0.44 1.51 3 Polymer Elongation at Potato Starch 40.78 37.05 44.50 3 break (mm) Potato Polymer 10.78 8.34 12.31 7 Tapioca Starch 48.33 43.76 52.89 2 Tapioca 10.77 8.73 12.81 10 Polymer Rice Polymer 34.79 30.22 39.35 2 Corn Polymer 13.36 10.73 16.00 6 Amylopectin 21.72 17.16 26.28 2 Polymer

Molecular level changes during the modification process were studied by FT-IR. The results are shown in FIG. 4. The spectrum of FIG. 4 represents the native potato starch harvested from the fungal modification of native potato starch.

The experimental results clearly indicate that isolates of O. ulmi can modify native starch into a new polymer which produces a bio-film having low water absorbance and high mechanical strength. Changes in the starch structure may be studied through FT-IR. The pyranose ring is maintained after the modification, but the strength of the hydrogen bonds between molecules is intensified. Peak shifts and ratio changes suggest the fixation of new chemical functional groups or new linkages between starch molecules. Peaks at 798.09 cm⁻¹, 1257.71 cm⁻¹ and 2860.65 cm⁻¹ are characteristic of the modified thermoplastic starches.

Based on these results, two possible pathways of the modification are suggested. One pathway may involve the fungus O. ulmi producing a polymer which can bond starch molecules together and form new cross-linked structures. The second possible pathway may involve the fungus attaching to one or more functional groups which help strengthen the starch polymer.

Non-Ethanol Precipitated Modified Thermoplastic Starch

Experiments were carried out to determine parameters required for large scale production and improved mechanical strength of bio-films. O. ulmi isolates W9 and Q412 were both tested. Results are reported based on tensile testing of bio-film made from modified thermoplastic potato. The method for film casting is as described previously.

Direct Harvest Method from Spore-containing Culture

For modified thermoplastic starch film derived by the direct harvest method from spore-containing culture, several experiments were carried out.

Experiment 2: Non-Ethanol Precipitation with Room Temperature Drying

In this experiment, the film was dried at room temperature and tensile testing was performed after 5 days. A W9 isolate was used. The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Tensile testing of modified and unmodified starch films peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD Unmodified 2.640 0.060 8.960 0.470 0.023 0.001 starch W day 1 14.310 4.144 2.658 1.372 0.871 0.286 W day 2 9.184 1.446 5.748 1.230 0.369 0.097 W day 3 7.442 1.573 9.596 2.045 0.215 0.109 W day 4 11.617 5.243 0.403 1.139 0.339 0.277 W day 5 6.954 1.627 7.687 1.650 0.210 0.095 W day 6 2.200 0.190 9.080 0.660 0.017 0.001 W day 7 2.050 0.000 9.260 0.000 0.018 0.000 W day 8 2.360 0.040 9.120 0.310 0.027 0.007 Experiment 3: Non-Ethanol Precipitation of Q412 Isolate with 50° C. Drying

In this experiment, the film was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours. Tensile testing was performed after the film was brought back to room temperature. A Q412 isolate was used, with native starch as a control. Ethanol precipitated modified thermoplastic starch is included as reference. The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Tensile testing of Q412 isolate with 50° C. Drying peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD Control 2.28 21.7 0.0353 Q22 hr. 6.32 1.9721 11.05 2.803 0.3768 0.208 Q24 hr. 7.18 0.0987 9.67 1.1372 0.3429 0.059 Q d2 8.51 0.9551 7.33 1.2527 0.4978 0.0882 Q d3 10.6 0.5052 6.73 0.7506 0.6483 0.1071 Q d4 11.08 1.8608 6.23 1.159 0.7694 0.1126 Q d5 10 2.4676 6.93 2.6725 0.5459 0.2076 Q d6 6.95 0.2949 11.37 0.4509 0.2532 0.0451 Q d7 9.12 0.3164 7.47 0.9504 0.4308 0.0998 Q d8 8.92 0.3913 6.27 1.3317 0.4978 0.0929 ETOH 11.49 1.3931 2.23 0.7371 0.785 0.0991 Experiment 4: Non-Ethanol Precipitation of W9 Isolate with 50° C. Drying

In this experiment, the film was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours. Tensile testing was performed after film was brought back to room temperature. A W9 isolate was used. Day harvested is indicated with ‘d’ in the Sample column. The results are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Tensile testing of W9 isolate with 50° C. Drying peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD W 22 hr. 14.54 0.2307 4.77 0.671 0.9306 0.1201 W 24 hr 8.04 0.2996 7.28 1.0532 0.4637 0.0861 W d2 22.66 1.2061 2.85 0.3514 1.3448 0.1302 W d3 10.42 0.6793 7.16 0.7197 0.6875 0.0639 W d4 17.7 1.0382 3.45 1.002 1.223 0.0157 W d6 11.8 0.2601 6 0.6195 0.6982 0.1686 W d7 10.34 0.2109 5.83 0.7411 0.7453 0.061 Centrifugation Method from Spore-containing Culture

For modified thermoplastic starch film derived by the centrifugation method from spore-containing culture, several experiments were carried out.

Experiment 5: Centrifugation from Spore Culture of Modified Thermoplastic Starch

The film was dried at 50° C. for 24 hours. Tensile testing was performed after film was brought back to room temperature. C represents centrifuged sample, W indicated W9 isolate. The control was native starch. Results are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 tensile testing for spore culture of modified thermoplastic starch peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD Mean SD CW d3, 19.85 1.689 2.96 1.013 1.178 0.2765 Control 8.07 1.274 8.2 3.46 0.4082 0.1368

Experiment 6: Time Interval Testing of Modified Thermoplastic Starch Films

A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals as described in Table 6. C represents a centrifuged sample. Q indicates a Q142 isolate, W indicates a W9 isolate, ‘d’ the day harvested. Native starch was used as a control. Results are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Tensile testing with time intervals peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment CQ d1 11.81 1.3 6.5 2.893 0.6392 0.1588 50° C. for 24 hr 25.21 2.6 2.38 1.226 1.088 0.315 50° C. for 48 hrs 8.53 0.66 10.44 1.543 0.4835 0.2373 To RT after 48 hr CQ d2 21.31 3.75 1.276 50° C. for 24 hr 23.79 2.03 2.083 1.105 1.505 0.042 50° C. for 48 hrs CQ d2 9.34 0.61 8.53 1.572 0.6249 0.1785 50° C. for 48 hrs CQ d1 22.89 1.7 2.483 1.182 1.087 0.028 50° C. for 48 hrs 8.37 9.9 0.5516 To RT after 48 hr CW d3 19.85 1.689 2.96 1.013 1.178 0.2765 50° C. for 48 hrs CW d3 11.55 3.51 6.2 3.203 0.5995 0.0656 50° C. for 48 hrs and wash water wash after centrifugation CW d1 8.62 1.36 11.1 0.9019 0.5734 0.1771 50° C. for 24 hr 14.41 3.14 6.673 1.107 0.8362 0.3666 50° C. for 48 hrs 6.17 1.1 16.1 2.4 0.2438 0.0714 To RT after 48 hr Control 5.79 0.58 14.66 2.74 0.3352 0.0325 50° C. for 48 hrs 3.32 0.03 15.71 1.64 0.1003 0.029 To RT after 48 hr

Experiment 7: Time Interval Testing of Modified Thermoplastic Starch Films

A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals as described in Table 7. C represents a centrifuged sample. W indicates a W9 isolate, ‘d’ the day harvested. Native starch was used as a control. Results are shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Time interval testing of modified thermoplastic starch films peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment CW d1 16.79 2.069 1.12 0.485 0.8174 0.2116 50° C. for 24 hr 24.38 3.44 2.95 1.195 1.357 0.161 50° C. for 48 hrs CW d2 15.32 0.87 4.95 1.062 0.948 0.143 50° C. for 24 hr 22.69 3.63 1.255 50° C. for 48 hrs

In order to increase the yield of modified thermoplastic starch, 450 g of native potato starch, instead of 225 g, was added to 1 L of YE media. The amount of spores and the procedures for film casting are the same as previously described. The results are as set out in Tables 8, 9 and 10

Experiment 8: Tensile strength at time intervals for Q412 isolate

A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals as described in Table 8. C represents a centrifuged sample. Q indicates a Q412 isolate. ‘d’ the day harvested. Native starch was used as a control. Results are shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Tensile strength at time intervals for Q412 isolate peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment CQ d1 27.26 0.56 1.939 0.178 1.505 0.086 50° C. for 24 hr 25.33 2.59 0.646 0.296 1.604 0.185 50° C. for 48 hrs 18.43 2.17 1.34 0.15 1.279 0.088 To RT after 48 hr CQ d2 22.93 1.38 2.73 0.151 1.239 0.0509 50° C. for 24 hr 23.59 4.24 2.291 1.142 1.359 0.172 50° C. for 48 hrs 13.85 5.02 5.48 3.207 0.8721 0.3481 To RT after 48 hr

Experiment 9: Tensile Strength at Time Intervals for W9 Isolate

A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals as described in Table 9. C represents a centrifuged sample. W indicates a W9 isolate, ‘d’ the day harvested. Results are shown in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Tensile strength at time intervals for W9 isolate peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment CW d1 25.24 3.13 2.8 1.122 1.254 0.203 50° C. for 24 hr 25.68 1.35 1.9 0.533 1.376 0.208 50° C. for 24 hr CW d1 25.44 3.31 1.87 0.872 1.292 0.072 50° C. for 48 hrs 26.84 2.321 2.03 0.664 1.4813 0.0522 50° C. for 48 hrs CW d1 18.82 3.41 1.84 1.516 1.122 0.1806 To RT after 48 hr

Experiment 10: Tensile Strength at Time Intervals for W9 Isolate

A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals as described in Table 10. C represents a centrifuged sample. W indicates a W9 isolate, ‘d’ the day harvested. Results are shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Tensile strength at time intervals for W9 isolate peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment CW d1 25.68 1.35 1.9 0.533 1.376 0.208 50° C. for 24 hr 26.84 2.321 2.03 0.664 1.4813 0.0522 50° C. for 48 hrs 18.82 3.41 1.84 1.516 1.122 0.1806 To RT after 48 hr Centrifugation Method from Spore-Free Culture

For modified thermoplastic starch film derived by the centrifugation method from spore-free culture, several experiments were carried out.

Experiment 11: Tensile Strength for Centrifugation Isolation of Modified Thermoplastic Starch

Films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals as described in Table 11. C represents a centrifuged sample. Q indicates a Q412 isolate, ‘d’ the day harvested, −S indicated spores removed before mixing. Results are shown in Table 11.

TABLE 11 Tensile strength for centrifugation isolation of modified thermoplastic starch peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment CW-S d1 27.17 1.01 1.8 0.183 1.524 0.055 50° C. for 24 hr 30.82 1.76 1 0.0617 1.625 0.165 50° C. for 48 hrs CW-S d2 24.1 2.94 2.4 0.774 1.094 0.134 50° C. for 24 hr 29.72 0.8871 1.75 0.1935 1.454 0.1372 50° C. for 48 hrs CQ-S d1′ 27.03 0.41 1.8 0.392 1.32 0.124 50° C. for 24 hr 23.2 5.99 1.29 0.8684 1.25 0.063 50° C. for 48 hrs CQ-Sd2 24.84 1.11 1.92 0.678 1.383 0.189 50° C. for 24 hr 27.99 0.8132 1.6 0.0354 1.396 0.186 50° C. for 48 hrs

Experiment 12: Tensile Strength for Filtration Isolation of Modified Thermoplastic Starch

Instead of centrifuging, the modified thermoplastic starch was obtained by filtration (F) or both filtration followed by water washing (FW). A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals. Q indicates isolate Q412; −S indicates spore removed before mixing, and 2 indicates second set. Results are shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Tensile strength for filtration isolation of modified thermoplastic starch peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment Q-SF2 11.88 1.13 9 1.067 0.7305 0.0392 50° C. for 24 hr Q- 12.49 3.79 8.1 3.661 0.7939 0.193 50° C. SFW2 for 24 hr Q-SF2 14.3 2.153 8.01 1.11 0.8167 0.0923 50° C. for 48 hrs Q- 19.84 2.79 3.7 0.794 0.9699 0.883 50° C. SFW2 for 48 hrs W SF2 11.06 0.99 9.1 0.78 0.7305 0.0392 50° C. for 24 hr W 11.4 0.3427 8.9 0.4583 0.4811 0.0508 50° C. SFW2 for 24 hr W SF2 18.82 1.44 5.8 1.334 0.8597 0.1101 50° C. for 48 hrs W 25.5 4.07 2.91 0.751 1.104 0.1066 50° C. SFW2 for 48 hrs W-SF 19.01 2.13 3.1 1.353 0.9479 0.0655 50° C. for 48 hrs W-SFW 19.59 1.44 4.6 0.217 1.049 0.046 50° C. for 48 hrs W-SF 14.55 0.61 4.3 0.654 0.8751 0.0738 To RT after 48 hr W-SFW 19.52 2.59 2 1.245 1.025 0.1065 To RT after 48 hr

Experiment 13: Tensile Strength for Non-Autoclaved Modified Thermoplastic Starch

Instead of using autoclaved native starch, the modified thermoplastic starch was obtained by mixing non-autoclaved starch (NAu) with culture filtrate. A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals. Q indicates isolate Q412; −S indicates spore removed before mixing. Results are shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13 Tensile strength for non-autoclaved modified thermoplastic starch peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment Q-SNAu 16.84 0.71 5.9 0.583 0.9336 0.0443 50° C. for 24 hr 27.12 1.29 2.2 0.408 1.239 0.187 50° C. for 48 hrs

These experiments clearly show that modified thermoplastic starch made from the centrifugation method possesses much better mechanical properties for bio-film. These data also show that the films made from a sample having a longer drying time exhibit high peak stress.

Centrifugation Method from Purified Exo-Polysaccharide

Experiment 14: Tensile Strength for Centrifuged Purified Exo-Polysaccharide

For modified thermoplastic starch film derived by the centrifugation method from purified exo-polysaccharide, tensile testing was carried out. A series of films made at the same time were subjected to tensile testing at differing time intervals. C indicates centrifuged; EPS indicates exo-polysaccharide; and S indicates native starch. Results are shown in Table 14.

TABLE 14 Tensile strength for centrifuged purified exo-polysaccharide peak stress elongation modulus Sample mean SD mean SD mean SD treatment EPS + S + 15.63 1.22 2.58 0.6657 0.7301 0.0136 50° C. C for 24 hr 31.55 1.71 0.8 0.3011 1.411 0.146 50° C. for 48 hrs

Structural Analysis Experiment 15: Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Modified Thermoplastic Starch

Table 15 shows results of FT-IR testing, a summary of the frequencies and proposed structural assignments of the most characteristic FT-IR bands of the modified thermoplastic starch spectra.

TABLE 15 Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Modified Thermoplastic Starch Group Intensity Frequency, cm⁻¹ Vibration IR Raman Description 3200-3500 —OH stretch very strong very weak Hydroxyl 2700-3000 —C—H stretch strong-medium medium 1640-1650 H₂O 1300-1400 C—H scissoring medium medium-weak 1300-1350 C—O stretch strong  300-1300 Finger print for skeleton 1100-1300 C—O stretch strong medium-weak 800-900 Skeletal mode medium α-(1-4) linkage 750-800 C—O—C skeletal medium-weak medium-weak β-configuration 700-750 C—O—C skeletal medium-weak medium α-configuration 600-650 C—H rocking very strong- very weak medium 400-500 Skeletal mode very strong

The FT-IR spectra are shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. In FIG. 5, new peaks are discernable, and the intensity of the resonances within the spectra, and the resonances at the skeleton mode (400-1500 cm⁻¹) are higher compared to resonances due to OH groups in modified starches. FIG. 6 illustrates detail of FT-IR spectrum of UTTS showing two new peaks appearing at 1261.84 and 799.44 cm⁻¹. FIG. 7 illustrates detail of FT-IR resonances between 2800 and 3000, related to C—H stretching.

In FIG. 7, a new peak appears at 2961.40 cm⁻¹ in modified thermoplastic starches. The peak at 2922.80 cm⁻¹ in modified starches may be related to the peak at 2927.19 cm⁻¹ in unmodified starches, the shifted peak may be due to a new interaction within the molecular structure of the modified starch.

These figures clearly show the presence of three new peaks in the FT-IR spectrum of the modified thermoplastic starch. These peaks are very similar to those detected in ETOH precipitated modified thermoplastic starch. These peaks may be used as bio-makers for the novel modified thermoplastic starch of the invention.

In FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B, there are depicted Raman spectra for the modified thermoplastic starch. FIG. 8 illustrates the Raman spectrum of modified thermoplastic starch and native starches, in the spectral range 2000-3500. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate Raman mapping and Raman spectrum, respectively, of native potato starches. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate Raman mapping and Raman spectrum, respectively, of modified thermoplastic potato starch.

The modified thermoplastic starch of the present invention is a new starch-based thermoplastic resulting from the interaction of native starch and exo-polysaccharide produced by isolates of O. ulmi. Solubility of native starch in the media is not the limiting factor for large scale production of modified thermoplastic starch. Mechanical strength of bio-film may be optimized by regulating the drying temperature and drying duration. Different properties of bio-package material for commercial application can be selected for from modified thermoplastic starch. Although only two isolates of O. ulmi are demonstrated here, other isolates of this fungus are able to produce modified thermoplastic starch, as all such isolates have a similar genetic makeup. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practised without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch from a native starch using a polysaccharide produced by a fungus species, comprising the steps of: (a) growing a culture of the fungus species in a fungal growth medium as a shake culture at an agitation rate sufficient to optimize fungal growth for a time period of between 0.5 and 10 days until the concentration of spores of the fungus species is between 0.1 and 10 g/L; (b) adding the native starch to the fungus species culture to form a mixture; (c) mixing the mixture at a mixing rate of between 10 and 1000 rpm and a mixing temperature of between 5° C. and 50° C.; and (d) harvesting the modified thermoplastic starch.
 2. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the time period is between 0.5 and 5 days.
 3. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the mixing rate is between 10 and 500 rpm.
 4. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the mixing temperature is between 5° C. and 40° C.
 5. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the native starch is selected from the group comprising native potato starch, native corn starch, and native tapioca starch.
 6. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the fungus species is Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lata.
 7. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the fungal growth medium is a yeast extract medium.
 8. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 7, wherein the yeast extract medium is comprised of DIFCO® yeast extract, KH₂PO₄, MgSO₄, FeCl₃*6H₂O, MnCl*4H₂O, ZnSO₄*7H₂O and sucrose, in distilled water.
 9. The method of manufacture of the modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the harvesting step comprises extraction of the modified thermoplastic starch and lyophilization.
 10. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the harvesting step comprises the following steps: (a) centrifuging the spore culture at a rotational speed of between 10 and 10000 rpm for a centrifugation period of between 0.5 and 60 minutes at room temperature to obtain a supernatant; (b) decanting the supernatant; (c) lyophilizing the remaining mixture until dry; and (d) removing the dried spores.
 11. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 10, wherein the rotational speed is between 200 and 6000 rpm.
 12. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 10, wherein the centrifugation period is between 5 and 40 minutes.
 13. A method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch from a native starch using a polysaccharide produced by the fungus species Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lata, comprising the steps of: (a) growing a culture of Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lata in a yeast extract medium comprised of DIFCO® yeast extract, KH₂PO₄, MgSO₄, FeCl₃*6H₂O, MnCl*4H₂O, ZnSO₄*7H₂O and sucrose, in distilled water as a shake culture at an agitation rate sufficient to optimize fungal growth for a time period of between 0.5 and 10 days until the concentration of spores of the fungus species is between 0.5 and 10 g/L; (b) adding a native starch selected from the group comprising native potato starch, native corn starch, and native tapioca starch to the fungus species culture to form a mixture; (c) mixing the mixture at a mixing rate of between 20 and 200 rpm and a mixing temperature of between 10° C. and 40° C.; (d) centrifuging the spore culture at a rotational speed of between 1000 and 6000 rpm for a centrifugation period of between 1 and 30 minutes at room temperature to obtain a supernatant; (e) decanting the supernatant; (f) lyophilizing the remaining mixture until dry; and (g) removing the dried spores.
 14. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein step (b) is replaced with the following steps: (b1) centrifuging the fungus species culture at high speed to obtain a supernatant; and (b2) incubating the supernatant with the native starch for a time period of between 0.1 and 4 days.
 15. The method of manufacture of a modified thermoplastic starch of claim 1, wherein the fungal growth culture medium contains native starch, and further comprising the following additional steps after step (a): (a) centrifuging the mixture at high speed to obtain a supernatant; (b) adding ethanol to the supernatant; (c) centrifuging the mixture at high speed to obtain thermoplastic starch as a precipitate; and (d) isolating the thermoplastic starch.
 16. A modified thermoplastic starch having a tensile strength of between 10 and 32 MPa, an elongation at break of between 0.5 and 10%, and a tensile modulus of between 0.3 and 1.5 GPa.
 17. Use of the modified thermoplastic starch of claim 16 in the manufacture of a biodegradable product selected from the group of products comprising a film exhibiting low water absorbance and high tensile strength, a packaging film, a laminate, a sandwiched material, a foamed molded article, an extruded profile, an insulation material, and a filled molded article.
 18. A biodegradable plastic manufactured from the modified thermoplastic starch of claim
 16. 19. A method of manufacture of a biodegradable plastic containing the modified thermoplastic starch of claim 16, comprising the steps of: (a) combining the modified thermoplastic starch with glycerol and water in a container; (b) heating the contained mixture in a water bath at a bath temperature of about 30° C. for a heating period of at least 15 min while maintaining constant volume, to form a solution; and (c) heating the solution at a drying temperature of at least 30° C. until a dry plastic is obtained.
 20. The method of manufacture of the biodegradable plastic of claim 19, wherein the bath temperature in step (b) is at least 70° C.
 21. The method of manufacture of a biodegradable plastic of claim 19, wherein the heating period of step (b) is about 1 hour.
 22. The method of manufacture of a biodegradable plastic of claim 19, wherein the drying temperature in step (c) is at least 50° C.
 23. Use of the biodegradable plastic of claim 18 in the manufacture of films or molding products by casting, extrusion, injection, or compression techniques. 